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Energy Minister warns of rising fuel consumption and calls for savings

Maria da Graça Carvalho expresses concern over the increase in fuel consumption and appeals for conscious management.

21 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Energy Minister warns of rising fuel consumption and calls for savings — Archive photoPhoto: Carlota Rodrigues · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

The Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, recently warned that fuel consumption is on the rise. She noted that consumption of diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel has already exceeded levels recorded in the same months of last year, raising concerns across various sectors.

During her speech, Carvalho emphasized the need to implement fuel-saving measures, highlighting that available resources for support should be directed to those who truly need them. The minister observed that, while other countries have adopted stringent measures in this area, Portugal and the European Union still lack a defined policy.

The minister called on citizens to manage their personal fuel consumption, suggesting that small adjustments in daily usage could help mitigate the problem. This approach emphasizes individual responsibility in reducing consumption, serving as a warning about the consumption habits that are being overlooked.

Maria da Graça Carvalho reiterated that the financial support requested by various sectors of the economy and the general population should be allocated more strategically, avoiding measures that benefit everyone uniformly without considering actual needs.

Additionally, the minister noted that Portugal stands out among European countries as the only one without state participation in the energy distribution company REN, a situation that could exacerbate issues surrounding consumption and its regulation.

The response to the increase in fuel consumption remains a relevant topic in political and economic discourse, with appeals from various sectors calling for urgent and definitive solutions.

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